[angkor]

Here's what he said in January 2004:

Excerpts from "President Bush Proposes New Temporary Worker Program":

Third, we should not give unfair rewards to illegal immigrants in the citizenship process or disadvantage those who came here lawfully, or hope to do so.

Fourth, new laws should provide incentives for temporary, foreign workers to return permanently to their home countries after their period of work in the United States has expired.

The legal status granted by this program will last three years and will be renewable -- but it will have an end.

This program expects temporary workers to return permanently to their home countries after their period of work in the United States has expired.

Some temporary workers will make the decision to pursue American citizenship. Those who make this choice will be allowed to apply in the normal way. They will not be given unfair advantage over people who have followed legal procedures from the start. I oppose amnesty, placing undocumented workers on the automatic path to citizenship. Granting amnesty encourages the violation of our laws, and perpetuates illegal immigration. America is a welcoming country, but citizenship must not be the automatic reward for violating the laws of America.

[mtbopfuyn]

Same speech, same do nothing.

[hinckley buzzard]

Why would he expect any of these interlopers to jump through hoops for citizenship or other legal status when they have everything they want now, with the status quo? What possible "incentive" could he offer someone to leave a possibly good job and settled life here and go home to mexico?

As always, there is no stick, and no carrot. Just talk.